Signal device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a signal device and, more particularly, to apparatus for use in retroreflective pattern coding for use in a conveyor system or the like.

United States Patent Richard Connell Northborough, Mass. 799,199

Feb. 14, 1969 June 1, 1971 Machinery Electrification, Inc. Northborough,Mass.

Inventor A ppl. N 0. Filed Patented Assignee SIGNAL DEVICE 5 Claims, 2Drawing Figs.

104/88,116/114,198/40, 235/87 Int. Cl.

G09f 9/00 116/121, 114, 133, I35; 235/66, 73, 79.5, 87,110,117, 118;104/88; 246/2; 198/38, 40; 250/227, 229, 231 (P), 266

[56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 863,456 8/1907 Schwab40/68UX 2,430,534 11/1947 Rodli 116/1 14UX 2,788,592 4/1957 A1exander..40/77.8 3,144,926 8/1964 Edelmax 198/38 Primary Examiner-Louis J. CapoziAttorney-Norman S. Blodgett ABSTRACT: The present invention relates to asignal device and, more particularly, to apparatus for use inretroreflective pattern coding for use in a conveyor system or the like.

SIGNAL DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a retroreflective patterncoding system of the type described in the Edelman U.S. Pat. No.3,144,926, the diverting of articles in a conveyor network depends onthe recognition at a station of a pattern of retroreflective codeelements on the article passing the station. The design of a signaldevice which moves through the conveyor network with the articlepresents a number of problems. In the past, such signal devices havebeen relatively expensive and complicated. They have also been liable tobreakage and of getting out of adjustment, so that the article goes to.the wrong location in the network. They have also been difficult toadjust. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior artdevices have been ob viated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a signal devicewhich is simple in construction and rugged enough to withstandconsiderable abuse in a conveyor network.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a signal devicewhich can be constructed almost entirely from injection-molded plasticparts.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a signaldevice whose code pattern can be easily and simply changed.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of partsset forth in the specification and covered by the claims appendedhereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the. present invention consists ofa signal device having a core member with a cylindrical surface and withat least two code elements angularly located relative to one another. Asleeve is mounted on the core member and is rotatable on the cylindricalsurface, the sleeve having an opening large enough to expose both codeelements in a first position and rotatable to second and third positionswhere one or the other of the code elements is exposed. Morespecifically, code elements consist of strips of retroreflective tapemounted on fiat surfaces lying in a common plane. The plurality of coremembers is mounted on a common shaft and each core member has its ownsleeve member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The character of the invention,however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structuralforms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a vertical elevational view of a signal device embodying theprinciples of the present invention, and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the device taken on the line Illl ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1,wherein are best shown the general features of the invention, the signaldevice, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown ashaving a shaft 11 on which are mounted three core members 12, I3, and 14on which are mounted, respectively, sleeves 15, 16, and 17. Pressedagainst the upper end of the sleeve 15 is a washer 18 held in place by acollar 19. At the bottom end of the sleeve 17 is located a washer 21held in place by a collar 22. A washer 23 lies between the sleeve 15 andthe sleeve 16, while a similar washer 24 lies between the sleeve 16 andthe sleeve 17.

FIG. 2 shows the details of construction of the core member 12 and thesleeve 15 which is associated with it. The core member is locked on theshaft 19 by means of a setscrew 25 and is provided with a cylindricalsurface 26. On one side of the setscrew 25 the core member .is providedwith a recess 7 defining a flat surface 27 on which is mounted a codeelement .such as a strip 28 of retroreflective tape. Similarly, on theother side of the setscrew 28 the core member is provided with a recessdefining a flat surface 29 carrying a strip 31 of retroreflective tape.The surfaces 27 and 29 lie in a common plane parallel to the axis of theshaft 11 and spaced from it, so that the strips 28 and 31 ofretrorefiective tape face in the same direction.

The interior of the sleeve 15 is provided with two guide portions 32 and33 which have cylindrical surfaces exactly matching the cylindricalsurface 26 of the core member, so that these portions 32 and 33 slideover the cylindrical portion and guide the sleeve on the core member.Also located on the inside of the sleeve 15 is a resilient protuberance34 which is engageable with any one of four notches 35, 36, 37, and 38formed on the surface of the core member. A substantial portion of theexterior of the sleeve 15 is provided with a knurling 39 to provide anonslip feature for manual adjustment.

Extending through the sleeve 15 exactly opposite the protuberance 34 isan opening 41 which, as is evident in the drawing, extends angularlyaround the sleeve a sufficient distance to bracket both of the codeelements, including the strips 28 and 31.

The operation of the invention will now be readily understood, in viewof the above description. The signal device is adapted to be mounted ona movable element in a conveyor network or the like, the attachmenttaking place by means of the shaft 11 which is adapted to be attached tothe movable article. It is only necessary, then, to adjust the sleeves15, 16, and 17 to expose certain'of the code elements, so that, when thearticle bearing the signal device passes by a reading station, thereading station may determine whether the exposed pattern of codeelements corresponds with that stations requirements for diversion ofthe article. When the sleeve 15, for instance, has been rotated so thatthe protuberance 34 snaps into the notch 35 in the core member, both ofthe strips 28 and 31 are exposed, as is shown in FIG. 1. If the sleeveis rotated from that position in a clockwise manner until theprotuberance 34 snaps into the notch 35, the opening 41 will shift tothe right and leave exposed only the code element represented by thestrip 28. If, on the other hand, the sleeve is rotated in acounterclockwise direction to bring the protuberance 34 into the notch37, then only the strip 31 is exposed. Finally, if the sleeve is rotatedstill further until the protuberance 34 snaps into the notch 38, thesleeve covers both of the strips 28 and 31 and no signal or code elementis visually available. In FIG. 1, the condition of sleeve 16 on its coremember 13 is such to show only the left-hand code element 42 exposed.Also, in FIG. 1, the condition of the sleeve 17 relative to its coremember 14 is such that no code elements are exposed. It should be notedthat the sleeves 15, 16, and 17 carry numerical indicia to make iteasier to set up a particular code.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form andconstruction of the invention without departing from the material spiritthereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to theexact formherein shown and described, but it is desired to include allsuch as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what I claim as new anddesired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A signal device, comprising a. a core member having a cylindricalsurface and at least two retroreflective code elements angularly locatedrelative to one another, and

b. a sleeve mounted on the core member and rotatable on the cylindricalsurface, the sleeve having an opening large enough to expose both codeelements in a first position and movable to second and third positionswhere one or the other of the code elements is exposed.

2. A signal device as recited in claim 1, wherein the sleeve ismovableto a fourth position where neither of the code elements isexposed.

3. A signal device as recited in claim 1, wherein a plurality of coremembers is mounted on a common shaft, each core member having its ownsleeve member.

5. A signal device as recited in claim 1, wherein the code elementscomprise strips of retroreflective tape.

1. A signal device, comprising a. a core member having a cylindricalsurface and at leAst two retroreflective code elements angularly locatedrelative to one another, and b. a sleeve mounted on the core member androtatable on the cylindrical surface, the sleeve having an opening largeenough to expose both code elements in a first position and movable tosecond and third positions where one or the other of the code elementsis exposed.
 2. A signal device as recited in claim 1, wherein the sleeveis movable to a fourth position where neither of the code elements isexposed.
 3. A signal device as recited in claim 1, wherein a pluralityof core members is mounted on a common shaft, each core member havingits own sleeve member.
 4. A signal device as recited in claim 1, whereinthe code elements are mounted on flat surfaces lying in a common plane.5. A signal device as recited in claim 1, wherein the code elementscomprise strips of retroreflective tape.